Weekend Hitters Recap

Catch up on all things hitters from the weekend

LAB REPORTS

By: The Lab

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Weekend Hitters Recap

In this article, I will review the top hitters from the past weekend. I will cover the outright best hitter from each position and a waiver-wire option (less than 60% rostered on Yahoo).

Catcher

Gabriel Moreno (63% Rostered)

Gabby Moreno's stat line from the weekend: .455/.429/.636/1.065 with two extra-base hits and five RBI.

Simply put, Moreno has been one of the best hitters in the league since May 17th. During that span, he is slashing .351/.440/.500/.940 with six home runs, 29 RBI, a 14.9% K rate, and an 11.7% walk rate. Respectively, Moreno's ranks in the majors over that time span minimum 120 PA: 2nd/1st/T-41st/15th.

Moreno is less valuable in categories and roto leagues due to his lack of pop, but he is the best batting average and OBP contributor at the catcher position. If Moreno can start to elevate the ball more, he could become a 15-17 home run caliber hitter, which would launch him into the top 3 in fantasy at the position. Moreno in a points league is an absolute must-roster.

Waiver Wire Option - Joe Mack (5% Rostered)

Joe Mack's stat line from the weekend: .143/.143/.571/.714 with one solo home run.

For as deep as the catcher position has been this year, this weekend was not reflective of that depth. I wanted to highlight Joe Mack because he's been a very solid option at catcher in deeper leagues since June 1st. Mack's stat line over that time period: .259/.317/.543/.861 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI.

Mack is worth an add in deeper leagues (NL only, 2-catcher leagues, 15-team leagues) as I believe the power is here to stay.

First Base

Rafael Devers (96% Rostered)

Devers' stat line from the weekend: .455/.538/1.091/1.629 with two homers, seven RBI, and four runs.

Since June 1st, Devers has slashed .240/.342/.556/.897 with 15 home runs, 30 RBI, and 29 runs. Per FanGraphs player rater, Devers has been worth $15.3, which ranks him as the 18th most valuable first baseman. However, Devers got off to a putrid start to the season, and he's been a steady option at first base since June.

Devers is arguably the most streaky hitter in the majors, so you need to have a strong stomach to roster him. Devers should be rostered in all leagues with 12+ teams.

Waiver Wire Options - Paul Goldschmidt (32% Rostered)

Goldy's stat line from the weekend: .333/.385/.583/.968 with one solo home run.

Goldschmidt has faded into a weak-side platoon role during his time in the pinstripes. During the veteran's hottest streak of the year (May 1st to June 30th), he was crushing southpaws and hit 8 home runs with a slash line of .437/.500/.859/1.359 OPS. However, since July 1st, he's been ice cold vs left-handers; his numbers during that time: .182/.250/.318/.568 with one home run and one RBI.

The Yanks are slated to face three lefties this week during their week-long trip to Chicago. Unfortunately, Goldy isn't worth rostering until he proves that Father Time hasn't finally caught up to him.

Second Base

Brice Turang (99% Rostered)

Turang's stat line from the weekend: .500/.538/.833/1.372 with one solo home run.

Turang has been one of the best five-category contributors at second base in fantasy baseball this year. On the year, he's slashing .276/.362/.464/.826 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 70 runs, and 15 steals.

Regarding fantasy, there isn't any new information from this weekend to do with Turang. He's been a stud all year, and that shouldn't change.

Waiver Wire Option - Bryson Stott (46% Rostered)

Stott's stat line from the weekend: .273/.273/.636/.909 with one home run and five RBI.

Per Fangraphs player rater, Stott has been the 22nd-ranked second baseman this year, worth $8. Stott has continued to provide reliable speed with 17 steals. He's hitting .293 with only one steal in July. There aren't any reported injuries for Stott, which makes the lack of steals in July less concerning.

You know what you are getting from Stott. He's going to be a plus in steals but neutral in the other 4 categories. He's worth rostering with specific team builds in deeper leagues, but you can do better in shallow leagues.

Short Stop

C.J. Abrams (98% Rostered)

Abrams' stat line from the weekend: .615/.615/1.385/2.000 with three home runs, six RBI, and one steal.

The Nationals have been the surprise team of the year. Abrams has been a massive piece of the team's success this year. Per Fangraphs player rater, he is the fourth most valuable player with a $39.9 value in roto/category leagues.

Abrams has been the hottest hitter in the league since the second half started. He's on pace to hit .297 with 42 home runs and 26 steals.

Waiver Wire Option - Ezequiel Duran (43% Rostered)

Duran's stat line from the weekend: .364/.333/.818/1.152 with one home run, four RBI, and three runs.

Utility is the main driver for Duran's value in fantasy baseball. He's eligible at every position other than catcher, and he's provided solid enough counting stats to remain fantasy relevant in deeper leagues.

Duran has been showing more power in July; he's slashing .286/.325/.586/.910 with five home runs, 14 RBI, 12 runs, and one steal. It feels like Duran is having the season we all hoped Willi Castro might. He's worth monitoring in all 12 team leagues.

Third Base

Manny Machado (97% Rostered)

Machado's stat line from the weekend: .333/.333/.667/1.000 with one home run, four RBI, and three runs.

Manny is on fire!!! During July, Manny's stats and ranks at third base: .288 (5th), 7 home runs (1st), 17 RBI (1st), 14 runs (second), wOBA (.405). He's been the best third baseman in fantasy during July, and he's not showing any signs of slowing down.

Despite Machado's slow start, he's on pace for another stellar year from arguably the second most consistent third basemen over the last decade (Nobody was going to top Jose Ramirez).

Waiver Wire Option - Curtis Mead (51% Rostered)

Mead's stat line from the weekend: .000/.444/.000/.444 with one run and four walks in 9 plate appearances.

I cheated. Mead had a poor weekend but only played in two games. However, if you are reading this article, your playoffs are likely approaching, and Curtis Mead is a must-add! Mead was traded to the Red Sox for Connelly Early over the weekend. Mead has enjoyed a breakout season with the Nats, but he could be even better with the Red Sox. The Green Monster is going to play to Mead's 22.5% Pull AIR Rate extremely well.

I'd expect Mead to hit in the middle of the Red Sox lineup and provide great counting stats in home runs, RBI, and batting average. The landing spot couldn't be better for Mead, and you need to add him if he's available in your league.

Outfield

Kyle Tucker (98% Rostered)

Tucker's stat line from the weekend: .333/.500/1.000/1.500 with two home runs, three RBI, and two runs.

King Tuck has been one of the many first-round disappointments this year. The even more frustrating part is that Tucker has been healthy; he's just having his worst statistical year. Coming into the year, Tucker had been one of the true five-category contributors over the last 3-4 years. However, this year almost all of his expected stats are down by 20-30%.

Hopefully this weekend is a sign of good things to come, but in July he's still been extremely cold, slashing .238/.329/.365/.694 with two home runs, seven RBI, and zero steals.

Waiver Wire Option - Luis Lara (4% Rostered)

Lara's stat line from the weekend: .500/.500/.875/1.375 with five RBI, three runs, and two doubles.

Luis Lara signed a seven-year, $31 million contract extension with the Brewers on June 9th, 2026, before even being called up to the majors. Since he was called up on July 7th, Lara has had inconsistent playing time but has still managed to hit .303, with five runs, seven RBI, and one steal.

Sal Frelick landed on the 10-day IL on July 18th, which you'd think would increase Lara's playing time, but he's still been in the lineup sporadically. Lara is worth monitoring until he gets more playing time. Lara reminds me of Juan Pierre, so if you need steals and batting average, he is worth monitoring in all league formats but isn't worth adding until he's playing every day.

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